Playlist: O'Dark 30 episode 110 (3-06)

KUT's O’Dark 30 launches full on into January with more of the very best from the world of independent radio production this week. Every Sunday at midnight on Austin's KUT 90.5 and also at 4pm on digital KUT2 we present 3 hours of a little bit of everything from the world of independent radio production.

MERRILL MARKOEhttp://merrillmarkoe.com/Emmy award-winning TV writer, original Head Writer for Late Night with David Letterman, comedian and author of numerous books including her most recent "Cool, Calm & Contentious."CARL ADAMSHICKhttp://carladamshick.wordpress.com/about/Poet and winner of the Walt Whitman award for his first book Curses and Wishes.

THE LONELY FORESThttp://www.thelonelyforest.com/This anthem-y rock outfit is produced by Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, and just released their second album, "Arrows," which is currently nominated in NPR's "Best Music of 2011 Listener's Choice Awards."

This half-hour installment starts off at the Tour de Coops, where Portland's backyard chicken farmers reveal the secrets to their success. Then Sarah Brown and Connor Voss at Diggin' Roots Farm will discuss the challenges of raising livestock and vegetables on a two rented acres surrounded on all sides by suburban neighbors. You'll also hear from the the folks at Tryon Life Community Farm, an alternative community and educational farm surrounded by a state park within Portland city limits.

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More than two million people each year visit Yellowstone; it's America's first and most famous national park. The main attraction are the geysers and hot springs. There are 120+ of these thermal features, Old Faithful being the most popular. For 26 years, Rick Hutchinson was known simply as 'the geyser guy' at Yellowstone. He was a geologist, a naturalist, and the world's foremost authority on geysers. He died in 1997, in an avalance while skiing t check some backcoutry geysers. In 1996 producer Barrett Golding went on a tour with Rick Hutchinson through Yellowstone's geyser basins.

Brigitte Bardot, the sex symbol of the 50's and 60's is also a singer. She is retired but Charles Aznavour, by quite a few years her senior, still performs with great vigor. They are two out of six artists in this episode. We bring a wonderful mix of personalities and musical styles and tell you about them in English. When you'll hear the songs interpreted in French, you will be delighted.Content:Charles Aznavour, (France), Les JoursBrigitte Bardot, (France), Une Histoire de PlageFaudle, (France), Mon PaysZaza Fournier, (France), Mon FrereOlivier Gann, (France), Tout le ResteVanessa Paradis, (France), Il y A

But, in short, the opening of a story should (most of the time) orient the listener to the focus of the story and get their attention. Frequently at Salt, we suggest a story start in the present. Then, after establishing a scene in the present, step away for context and history.

Producer Emily Friedman tried that approach again and again to no avail when writing the script of her piece “Dam Radio Story.” Every time she inserted context and history it “cannonballed” the opening. So, she switched them starting with history then the present. Not a big deal, to be sure, but her struggle to find a good opening is illuminating. Have a listen.

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When I was in high school headbanger Andy and cowboy Dirk were on two sides of the fence and Dirk was always looking to thump Andy. It was pot v. Coors, Marlboro v. Copenhagen, Metal v. Nashville. Andy v. Dirk. But there is always a greater evil to band against.

The 700-member Pointe-au-Chien indian tribe south of Houma, Louisiana was one of the first communities to take a direct hit from the BP oil spill. For them, the disaster is ongoing—and part of a larger threat to their ancestral home.

The 700-member Pointe-au-Chien indian tribe south of Houma, Louisiana was one of the first communities to take a direct hit from the BP oil spill. For them, the disaster is ongoing—and part of a larger threat to their ancestral home.